On Thursday, 29 February 2024, the closing event of the project „Modernization of Local Public Services in the Republic of Moldova” (MLPS), implemented during 2009-2024 by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in partnership with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development, took place.

For 15 years, the MLPS project has contributed to the implementation of regional development policy, modernisation of local public services, capacity building of authorities and service operators. The total budget of the project was €98.1 million, with funding from the Government of Germany, the European Union, the Governments of Sweden, Switzerland and Romania.

The guests of honour at the event were the Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Republic of Moldova, the Ambassador of Sweden to the Republic of Moldova, the Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of Romania to the Republic of Moldova, representatives of the Swiss Cooperation Office.

The closing ceremony was also attended by the project partners – representatives of central, regional and local public authorities, academia and civil society organisations.

Andrei Spinu, Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development: “Modernisation of local public services in the Republic of Moldova” helped us to be one step closer to more developed regions and localities, improved public water and sanitation services, renovated schools and hospitals, but most importantly – this project leaves behind trained specialists who will be able to benefit from EU projects and continue building European Moldova here at home. The long-term partnership we have with the European Union and the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development has been a signal of confidence to our other partners – the Governments of Romania, Sweden and Switzerland who have supported and continue to support us in our European journey, and GIZ gave us all necessary support to achieve our goals. Today marks the beginning of a new phase, in which we will apply and consolidate everything we have learned and achieved during this period and continue to work so that people in every village and town can enjoy European living conditions.”

Jānis Mažeiks, Ambassador, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova:  „As we move forward, we need to build on the lessons learned from this project so that we can continue investing in the development of quality public services, promote stronger communities and together secure Moldova’s chosen path to the European Union.”

Margret Uebber, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Republic of Moldova: „The promotion of regional development and the modernisation of communal infrastructure are key areas of German cooperation in the Republic of Moldova. Based on a citizen-oriented regional development policy and through joint forces as a Team Europe, Germany gladly supports the development of regional and local development strategies, the modernisation of water and energy infrastructure in the country and the awareness raising for improving local services with a special focus to vulnerable groups. Germany remains committed to being a strong partner for the Republic of Moldova and its regional development, building sincere friendship and a trustful collaboration with its people.”

Katarina Fried, Ambassador of Sweden to the Republic of Moldova: „Sweden was very proud to be a partner during the 8 first years of this project and we have continued to contribute to the same cause bilaterally through other complementary projects. This project has offered much more than regional projects pipelines for more qualitative and affordable local services. It raised capacities of local public authorities in running such infrastructure projects and encouraged participatory processes by involving specialists from both: the central and local administration level.”

Ovidiu Năftănăilă, Chargé d’affaires a.i. of the Embassy of Romania to the Republic of Moldova: „Romania will continue to support the modernisation of public services in the Republic of Moldova, thus contributing, together with its international partners, to building a European future for the citizens on this side of the Prut. GIZ’s experience in preparing and implementing projects in the field of access to public services at the local level has enabled Romania to maximise the impact of its contribution to this project through an integrated approach.”

Claudia Hermes, Country Director GIZ Moldova: „GIZ, as part of development cooperation, has been providing technical support to Moldovan government in their efforts to improve living conditions of its citizens and provide access to better-quality public services. We are honoured by your trust and we reassure you of our continuous commitment to provide assistance in reforms agenda. Gratitude to all involved partners for the successful implementation of a more comprehensive approach towards regional development.”

At the national level, the project supported the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development and the development regions North, Centre, South and Gagauzia in the elaboration of regional development policy. A coherent framework, aligned with EU standards, has been established for its implementation in the priority sectors – water supply and sanitation, solid waste management, regional and local roads and energy efficiency in public buildings. More than 10 legislative acts and policy documents were developed at national level.

Together with the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), more than 25 infrastructure projects have been implemented in the field of water supply and sanitation, energy efficiency in public buildings and waste management. 

Today, more than 5200 students and teachers benefit from better study and working conditions, more than 24 thousand people a year benefit from better medical services in two hospitals, and energy consumption and CO2 emissions have been reduced by about 60%.

Also, about 100 thousand people in 13 localities now have access to improved water services, and 11 thousand people in 5 localities – to sanitation services. More than 225 km of water supply network were built and 48 km of sewerage network were upgraded.

In addition, more than 26 thousand citizens in three rayons benefit from modernised solid waste management services.

The MLPS project developed the capacities of central and local level I and II public authorities, RDAs, school representatives, public service operators and civil society. In this respect, more than 3300 people benefited from training in the 23 training modules institutionalised by the Institute of Public Administration, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, te Technical University of Moldova and its Continuous Training Centres in the field of energy efficiency in public buildings and water supply and sanitation.

Around 14 thousand citizens were involved in the decision-making processes of public authorities, promoting connection to water and sewage networks, use of renewable energy sources, reduction of waste generation for a cleaner environment.

The project „Modernisation of Local Public Services in the Republic of Moldova” (MLPS) is implemented by GIZ in partnership with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development. The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the European Union, the Governments of Sweden, Switzerland and Romania.

@Photo credit Andrei Boguș; Ion Buga